Julian-Liverpool Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Hello all I have been lusting after a Dragstar Classic for years now and although passed my test 3 years ago, never got around to it (other things cost money :-( But I am looking now, I was thinking of a 650, but would it be a big jump to go direct for a 1000 or am I just being daft there. Would a 650 have plenty of power, I really have no idea and don't want to get a 650 then deciding to upgrade Also, I have limited mechanical knowledge really, id like to service myself, but in the meantime what are the service costs on these machines? And what sort of mileage do you get I guess im looking for any info a new bot would need before buying his first ever bike (well I did have a Chinese cruiser for 3 months when learning... lets forget about that though :-) I feel like a kid in a sweetshop just looking through these threads, imagine what I will be like with a bike Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leatherat Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Firstly.....welcome to the YOC. Secondly.......Aay Aay Aay Calm down, Calm down, day do doe don't day doe! The 650 is a great machine for a first bike, it has 40ish bhp and is quite rapid off the mark. It runs out of steam at about 90mph though. It has been around for quite a few years but still retains quite high residual values, look for low milages and mint condition, they are out there. Service costs are hard to quantify but air filters can be had for around £12.00, oil filters £5 -10 on the net, tyres are around £130 rear (never replaced a front so I'm not sure). Fuel economy can be around 45mpg and the 16 ltr tank hits reserve around 130-140 miles. Would the 1100 be a better buy? well that depends.......are you confident that your riding ability is a reasonable standard? if so the 1100 is a more powerful machine, it is also a little biggger physically, I've been riding since I was 16 (I'm 45 now) and I would have gone for the 1100 if I could have afforded one (which I couldn't) as I find the 650 a little underpowered (I did sell a XJ900S Diversion which had 98bhp to buy the dragstar) All in all you pays your money and takes your choice. Try to find a 650 and an 1100 at a dealers and test ride them, you'll find out so much more having your bum in the saddle than you will reading someone elses opininon, but if you decide on a 650........ I have this one for sale it's a 1998 with only 14500 miles on the clock (that's just over 1000 miles a year) Yours for £2500 if you're interested drop me a PM. If you just need advice it's £25 per hour! Be lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian-Liverpool Posted June 17, 2011 Author Share Posted June 17, 2011 Thanks for your help mate Nice bike but I have in my mind that I want a black one, Otherwise I'd pull on my tight perm wig, stick on my tache and shell suit and be down for a test ride :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leatherat Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Ere, you can't fool me! I've been to the 'pool and know for a certain fact you're all born with the shell suit and perm! That aside, black ones are sooooo last season, and if you're really bothered about the colour, theres always flash harry's respray booth, who specialise in a quick blow over to disguise it from da bizzies (yeah I used to watch 'Brookie'. Any assistance you may need, just post it up on here and we'll try to help out....gis us a job....I can do dat! Oh, and pictures to admire will be required when yu make your purchase Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian-Liverpool Posted June 17, 2011 Author Share Posted June 17, 2011 Putting pictures of my new bike here will only help the police recover it :-) Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leatherat Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyrpsmith Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 My bikes since 1999 1) Dragstar 650 same as above, bought new to commute from Reading to London. As leatherat says its all over by 80mph and just makes 90mph if you must. After 6 months I traded it in for 2). 2) Yamaha Royal Star deluxe (screen, panniers) XVS1300 V4 detuned V-Max engine. Did 75,000 miles on this until 2004. 3) Traded in the XVS1300 for a Harley 1200 Sportster Custom. Just had to do the Harley thing. Poor finish and expensive parts made me finally trade it in. I also bought a Honda Lead scooter. 4) Traded Honda Lead for 2001 Burgman 400 5) Traded Burgman 400 for Yamaha Virago XV750. Great bike to ride, quite buzzy and low geared but handled very well. I had to trade it in as every time the temp went below freezing the carbs iced up and the thing would just stop. 6) Traded the XV750 for a new Burgman 400 in Jan 2009. A great scooter for commuting all through the year, fast and tops out at 100mph. 7) Traded Harley 1200 for V-Max 1200 in May 2010. 8) Bought 17yr old son a Virago 125 to learn on from Jan 2011. 9) Bought 17 yr old son Suzuki Gladius 650 for when he passes test (restricted to 33bhp). An absolutely excellent first big bike by the way, handles great, low down power from the V-twin. 10) Bought 15yr old son Aprilia Sport City 50 for when he is 16 - soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backon2wheels Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 Hi Julian, I bought an XVS 650 Classic in January and had the same thoughts at the time, should I go for the 650 or 1100. Needless to say I went for the 650 for two reasons really. Firstly it was the nicer of the two bikes I was looking at. The 1100 had less miles but much of the chrome was pitted and would need rechromed at some point which was going to add further cost. Partly related to cost was the second reason, I had just returned to biking after a near 20 year absence and in addition to buying my machine, had to fork out for new leathers, helmet, boots, gloves, etc, etc so didnt want to spend any more than was necessary. But the 650 was the nicer looking machine despite higher mileage (it's the classic rather than the custom). I also thought I'd be happier with the less expensive machine had I been silly and accidently dropped it! I ride mostly at 55-60 mph as I live in a rural area and dont tend to head towards motorways. Mine has no screen so anything past 60 and I feel like a wind sock but they're not made for speed. I get about 150 miles out of the tank before hitting the reserve. I'm more than happy with my 650 and whilst I do want something I can ride in poorer weather conditions I hope this to be in addition to my Dragstar and not instead of. Have fun and be safe. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian-Liverpool Posted July 1, 2011 Author Share Posted July 1, 2011 Thanks Pat I wont be going too far on mine either and the 60mph woud be enough even on the motorway I guess. I dont like the look of the screen really. The Classic is the one I want also, More chrome and it seems the front wheel is fatter (which I think looks better) I'm still looking around, but I may wait a little while and buy towards the end of the summer. I have stuff I need to do and a new bike will mean I wont do it :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backon2wheels Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 Here's my 650 Classic Julian I hope this posts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian-Liverpool Posted July 1, 2011 Author Share Posted July 1, 2011 Love them, No sissy bar for me though :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fearless joe Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 when you ask about power... what bike do you ride now, what you used to?? dont get me wrong, i love it, its awsome, but i must disagre about it being rapid.... in anyway at all, but its not really meant for that so i can forgive it, my other bike is an er5 (which isnt fast at all either), and that would compleatly blast the 650 anyday having said that i did once get 85 mpg out of mine, this was sitting at 55 mph in a line, no braking no corners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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